Contact: Jennifer Swann Idaho Firewise 208 608-3868 [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IDAHO FIREWISE IS LAUNCHED

Non-Profit Urges Idahoans to Become Firewise

MERIDIAN, IDAHO. (July 12, 2010)— As Idaho enters into what is anticipated to be an active fire season, Idaho Firewise is helping Idahoans understand fire and how to live with it safely. Idaho Firewise is a newly formed statewide non-profit organization designed to help coordinate and support local wildland fire education efforts The organization was founded by local, state, federal and tribal fire and environmental education specialists from around the State. The goal of the organization is to create a firewise culture in

Idaho. “By firewise, we mean a way of being, living, and doing that understands and proactively prepares for wildfire,” said Jennifer Swann, Idaho Firewise Executive Director. “This requires us to be responsible and take action to protect our homes, property, and lives from the devastating effects of wildfire. We now have a website that provides the tools to get started.”

Although the organization may be new to some, the Firewise concept is not. Idaho Firewise is part of the national Firewise Communities program. Firewise organizations exist in over 30 states. Idaho alone, has

12 communities that are nationally recognized Firewise Communities. “The residents in these communities have worked together to make their neighborhoods safer from fire,” said Harry Steele, Idaho Firewise Board

Member and Idaho Department of Lands Fire Prevention Coordinator. “We hope that even more communities will do the same.” Idaho Firewise Page 2 Idaho Firewise has a multi-subject approach to fire education. Not only does it teach homeowners how to prepare for wildfire, it also helps them understand the role of fire on Idaho’s landscape and how it is fought. “Wildfire will always be part of Idaho’s landscape but if homeowners are educated and take action before there is smoke in the air, we don’t have to lose homes. Many people think that the actions they take around their homes won’t matter in the face of a raging wildfire when, in fact, it’s what matters most.” said

Jon Skinner, Idaho Firewise Chair and Bureau of Land Management Mitigation and Education Specialist.

Preventing fire is also a large part of Idaho Firewise’s message. Keep Idaho Green has been delivering fire prevention messages throughout the State since 1946. Keep Idaho Green has teamed up with

Idaho Firewise and continues to spread the message of fire safety and prevention..

Wildfire can strike at any time. Sometimes it is a force of nature, but many times it results from a careless act. Either way, it has the potential to destroy lives, property, and natural resources throughout our state. The people who live, work, and play in Idaho have a responsibility to do their part in preventing and living safely with fire. Idaho Firewise is helping people do just that.

For more information about Idaho Firewise, please visit www.idahofirewise.org or contact Jennifer Swann via e-mail at [email protected].

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